Over and Over

Mirrors

ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

NARRATOR'S POV

"Which fiancé, kuma?" Layla said, completely forgetting her earlier statement.

"You just told me you were getting married," he said, sounding perplexed.

"Oh, that? It was a joke. I was just kidding.

I wanted to get back at you for what you did earlier," she explained, smiling and revealing her captivating dimples.

"Oh my god, this girl is driving me crazy," he thought to himself as he looked into her deep brown eyes and at her perfectly placed dimples.

"Who makes jokes like that, Layla?" he said, giving her a sceptical glance.

"Me," she replied, chuckling.

"So, if you're not getting married, why are you going to the mall to buy wedding clothes?" he asked curiously.

"Oh my, her eyes are so captivating, I can't resist the way she looks at me," he said when Layla gazed deeply into his eyes, lost in her own thoughts.

Imam felt a small panic attack because of her prank.

She looked at him, contemplating whether to prank him again or tell him the truth.

"No," she decided after a few moments of thought.

"I was invited to a wedding, so I'm going to buy clothes for it," she replied.

"Who's getting married?" he asked.

"I don't even know who the bride is myself," she replied, giggling. "But I do know the wedding is in Kano."

"Kano," he repeated. "Yes, I also have a wedding to attend there next week," he said.

"I hope it's the same wedding," she prayed, and he silently echoed her sentiment.

"Well, I think I'll help you choose your outfit," said Imam, increasing the speed of the car.

"Sure," she replied.

Yasmin cleared her throat, saying, "Then what am I here for?"

"You'll be our guide," said Imam, taking charge this time.

---

As they walked through the mall, many people kept staring at Layla.

Imam was obviously feeling jealous, a sentiment Yasmin hadn't expected him to express.

"Layla, could you please adjust your veil? Many people are staring," he said in a commanding tone.

Layla obediently adjusted her veil without saying anything.

"What was that?" Yasmin said, hitting him hard on his back.

"What?" he whispered to his sister. "I was only trying to protect her," he added.

---

At the shop, Layla tried on more than 15 dresses, but none seemed to meet Imam's taste.

She kept changing without a word. Finally, he chose two dresses: a dark blue straight gown with embroidery and an off-white bou bou adorned with beadwork.

LAYLA'S POV

By 5 p.m., Imam and Yasmin dropped me off at home after we finished shopping.

"Dada!" I called by the door. Too exhausted to go upstairs, I simply collapsed on the couch.

"Adda, Layla!" I heard my brother Farhan's voice calling from above me. "What is it?" I said, stretching my whole body.

"Dada is calling you," Farhan said before leaving.